The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-06-23
DEATH OF SAMUEL BAKER.
At Ninety-f the Old Soldier Falls
Asleep!

At Ninety-ffve the Old Soldier Fall
/. Asleep!
Once again, within week, has an old cit
izen been quietly and tearfully laid away
in the 'city of the dead." Like the last faint
rays of the sun, fading into the western
waters; like the last breath of flame hov-
ering above the embers on the hearth.
stone; like the vanishing of a summer
cloud in the blue and beautiful distance
the life of the old man has at last ceased
to be, on earth; the stars have their al
lotted movements, the seasons come and
go with the regularity of darkness and
light; so too, the life of man has fixed
place, defined mission, in Gods econo-
my. Whether it was amid the the clash
and roar of Lundy's Lane, or the peaceful
home-life of the modest residence in
Jackson, Samuel Bakers life had the
same trend-the same Divine purpose.
The journey was a longer one than is
usually allotted to mankind, yet can we
| say that he lived in vain? What can
poor, bind, unreasoning creatures, know
of the results of that life? We follow it
down to the brink of the river, we place
the helplesf form in the casket, and like
the Israelitish mother, we entrust that
form to the dark waters. But the future
is to us matter of faith, and hope. We
cannot discern the pleasures that await
the journeying soul, nor the treasures
laid up upon the other side of the river.
We can only trust. But marvel not if,
in the midst of that trust, there comes to
us the blessed assurance that the departed
soul has taken up it's happy flight amid
the grand consultations that gladden. the
peace and beauty of the heavenly world.
Samuel Baker, the soldier of 1912, was
not half so grand hero as Samuel Baker
the simple child of God. And, as we
could regard his life among us as in
many respects heroic, so we could lay |
him to rest as hero, even in death, for
to him death was triumph, and seeming
defeat was eternal victory. His life
covered the entire period of the life of
this Republic up to the present time.
The following sketch of his life is neces-
sarily condensed:
Another landmark in our Nations
progress has been removed. Another
historic past, is broken. Another life
that had its beginning during the first
Presidential term of Washington, that
continued under every President of the
Republic, has closed it's earthly career.
Samuel Baker has gone to his eternal re-
ward.
He was born November 5, 1901, in Fan
nett Township, Franklin County, Penn [
'ylvania His grandfather, Robert Baker, |
was acquainted with Washington before
he Revolutionary War, and was Briga-
lier General in his command during its !
progress. His father was a Lieutenant.
md was engaged in many of the battles 1
# that war, that resulted in the complete t
victory of the young colonies. He was ]
nan of greater knowledge than many of T
hose about him. He determined to give 7
lis children as good an education as could :
e afforded them. So young Samuel was .
laced in school, where he improved the
dvantages offered. One of his compan-
ons and schoolmates, James Buchanan, {
fterward became President of the United r
tates. Their friendship continued until T
he death of the latter.
At the age of 21 he enlisted for the war I
nth Great Britain. On the 10th of Sep +
ember. 1918, he witnessed Perry's victory T
! the naval combat on Lake Erie. On n
ne 5th of October he was in the battle of = :,
ne Thames. He saw Tecumseh, the q
reat Indian chief, slain while in the act Il
brandishing tomahawk above one of A
ur soldiers. D
On the 25th of July, 1914, he was in =
en-. Scott's command in the battle of
undy's Lane, near Niagara Falls. His
BOULDER was broken, by his horse, which l.
as killed by an IS lb. shot falling upon N
i'm.
He then returned to private life. He
[e married Mary Seldomridge He sur al
ived her and seven children born to W
lem. Through the influence of his early
lend, Buchanan, he received an appoint
ent in the Treasury Department. at
Tashington, during Jackson's admins
alton. Some of the Revenue Collectors
eing found in arrears, and the books be-
g in an unsatisfactory condition, the til
resident called on Mr.. Baker, as an eX OF
,rt, to give the accounts a thorough eX-
nination. Jackson was unwilling to 4,
ave the work done at the Department, A
Mr.. Baker with the books was ordered
the White House, and the work was ~,
ntinued under the Presidents supervi- 1s
on for several weeks. Soon after he
as appointed Consul to Valparaiso, and 81
manned but fifteen months. He was a sI
illness of the great Webster-Hayne de-
tie. He had some acquaintance with o,
of the Presidents from Washington's no
me to Grant, and also with many of the
eatest men of the Nation.
His second wife, Jane Starr, was mar '"
ed to him August 6, 1886, in Elk Town r
lip. Venango County, Pa. Seven chill ~
en- were the fruit of their union. Two
ms and three daughters and their moth
are still living. He united with the
E. Church in 1910. His home was the
opping place for the ministry. He was
r years class-leader, and an earnest,
auncb reliable member of the church.
He removed to Jackson County, in 1854.
e was Auditor of the county for two
rms. His closing years were calm and
aceful-his trust firm in God. He died
turday. June IS, 1887, passing away
ithout struggle, aged 95 years, os
onths and IS days. ~